This study focuses on the integration of geochemical data analysis methods to enhance mineral exploration in the Siah Cheshmeh region of the Khoy Ophiolite in northwestern Iran. Initially, all preprocessing steps were applied to the geochemical data to ensure its quality and accuracy before proceeding with the main analysis. Staged Factor Analysis (SFA) was then employed to identify key elements closely related to mineralization processes, such as Au, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, and Ni, due to their significant roles in mineral enrichment and deposit formation. These elements were subsequently analyzed using Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) and fractal modeling techniques to differentiate background from anomaly concentrations, effectively detecting high-anomaly areas indicative of mineral-rich zones. For example, the anomaly area for manganese using the fractal method was determined to be 4,551,879 square meters, compared to 22,107,400 square meters obtained using EDA, highlighting the fractal method's higher precision in mapping anomalies. The SFA approach was further refined using the Geochemical Mineralization Potential Index (GMPI), with calculations performed for the associations GMPIAu-Cu-Fe-Mn-Zn and GMPICr-Ni. GMPI values were determined based on the 95% cumulative frequency, with additional thresholds at 99% and 97.5% to highlight higher-intensity anomalies. This comprehensive integration of SFA, EDA, fractal modeling, and GMPI methods produced detailed geochemical maps that precisely identify prospective exploration areas, emphasizing regions with high mineral potential. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of combining these techniques to guide focused geochemical investigations for mineral exploration.
Argillite rocks are among the weak rocks that cause damage in the engineering project implementation due to stone swellability, high slake, and low strength and durability. South Makran structural zone is located in the southeastern part of Iran between the two thrust faults of Makran and Qasr-Ghand. Most of the sediments are Quartz fragments (silt size) with carbonate cement containing sub-minerals of calcite and fossil fragments, indicating a shallow and low-energy marine environment of the Neogene age. Based on the main faults south Makran is divided into four sub-areas, Makran, Zirdan, Chahan and Getivan. Field harvesting was used in each of the sub-areas for stone engineering classification and sampling for laboratory tests to determine the physical, mechanical and dynamic characteristics of the rock. According to rock engineering classification, most sediments are in weak and very weak strength and ultrasonic test were carried out. The results of the tests show that the sediments located in coastal Makran have more porosity and less cement due to the youngness of the sedimentation basin, and they have less strength characteristics in terms of durability. The results of the second stage cycle durability test show that porosity changes have the highest correlation with compressional wave velocity, uniaxial compressive strength, calcium carbonate percentage and SiO2 percentage, and with the porosity increasing the efflorescence durability amount decreases (R2=0.82). The durability of the second stage (Id2) has a relationship between porosity percentage (n %) and compressive wave velocity (Vp) with a correlation value of (R2=0.91) and calcium carbonate percentage (%CaCO3) and compressive wave velocity (vp) with a value correlation of(R2=0.83). In order to determine the effective factors on the durability of argillite rocks, the experimental model of path analysis was used to determine the influencing coefficients, where porosity has a direct effect, and calcium carbonate percentage, dry density, and compressive wave velocity have an indirect effect.
The Ilam Formation in the Zagros basin, southwest Iran, is a rich petroleum reservoir rock that possesses considerable exploration potential. This study provides valuable insights into the paleoenvironmental and paleogeographic conditions of the Ilam Formation using sedimentological and geochemical analysis as well as sea-level changes during the Late Cretaceous time (Late Santonian-Late Campanian) in the Lorestan area. Based on petrographic analysis, four microfacies were identified in the studied area (Mehdi Abad section) in the Ilam Formation that were deposited in an outer ramp setting, from middle neritic to bathyal, in a homoclinal ramp. Sequence stratigraphic analysis led to detect two transgressive system tracts and one regressive system tract. In the current study, the paleogeochemical signatures, using redox-sensitive elements, show strong evidence of declining oxygen level during the Late Santonian and Late Campanian; however, increase of oxygen levels only observed during the Early Campanian time. The changes in oxic-anoxic conditions in the depositional basin during deposition of the Ilam Formation can be correlated with the final phase of the oceanic anoxic event in the Cretaceous. However, the closure event of the Neo-Tethys Ocean and subsequent changes in fault mechanisms and basin structure were causal mechanisms of oxic-anoxic conditions during this period.
Cerchar Abrasivity Index (CAI) test is commonly used to assess the abrasiveness of rocks due to its efficiency and simplicity. This research focuses on estimating CAI values based on the petrographical, textural, and mechanical characteristics of igneous rock. The study examines the potential correlation between CAI values, petrographical, and textural characteristics using a dataset comprising 15 samples from 5 different types of igneous rocks. The researchers employed a range of statistical analyses, including Pearson's correlations, Simple and Multiple linear and non-linear regression, and artificial neural network (ANN) analyses. These methods were used to examine the relationship between CAI values and various parameters. CAI has a direct correlation with Texture Coefficient (TC), Heterogeneity (H), Saturation Index (SI), Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS), Abrasivity Index (ABI), and Rock Abrasivity Index (RAI), with the exception of Feldspathic Index (FI) and Porosity (P). Results showed that by increasing CAI values, the TC, H, RAI, ABI, and SI increased, and FI decreased. By increasing TC and H, the percentage of quartz increases, and alkali feldspar decreases. The study suggests SI, FI, TC, and H are appropriate in assessing the abrasiveness of igneous rocks. Validation of the results displayed that new models can be used for predicting CAI with acceptable accuracy.
The study of karst water potential is one of the most important and attractive studies of this type of distinctive landform. This study has been carried out with the aim of identification of areas of extensive karstification and consequently groundwater resource potential carbonate rocks in Iran considering the role of the chief factors affecting karst water potential. Accordingly, 25 different data layers where interrogated in a GIS platform. Subjective karst map was developed on the basis of what is considered to be a proper combination of these factors. The most important parameters are categorized to three driving factors include chemical, physical, and hydrogeological factors. Thematic map of each parameter was prepared using geographic information system (GIS). Measuring the rate and weight of the maps was performed using analytical hierarchical process (AHP), respectively. The final output map showed different zones of groundwater prospective potential, which was divided into five grades. According to the results, out of the total area of 174,000 km2 of carbonate outcrops in Iran, the highest grade of karst water potential was found in the Kopet-Dagh zone in the northeast. So, the significance of karst formations in the Kepet-Dagh region is at least as great as that of the Zagros and Alborz ranges, if not greater. Validation of karstification potential map was done with the existence and location of springs and karst aquifers in the Kopet-Dagh area.
